Folding table



Sept. 6, 1932. w. M. BOENNING FoLD'iNG TABLE Filed Jan, 13, 1932 Patented Sept. 6, 1932 PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM M. nonmvme, or MANI'rowoc, Wisconsin FOLDING TABLE Application filed January 13, 1932. serial No. 586,367.

This invention relates to folding tables, and more particularly to light, portable card tables and the like. 7 V

The present invention is directed spec1f1- .S cally to the hardware for pivotal attachment of the legs, and has for its object to provlde an exceedingly simple, inexpensive, and at the same time rigid attachment, which is extremely easy to manipulate and securely retains the pivoted leg in extended or re tracted positions.

Incidental to the foregoing, a more specif c object of the invention resides in the provision of a channelled brace adapted to embrace the headof a stud carried by the leg to releasably lock the leg in open position and guide the sameduring retractlon.

A further object resides in the provision of a novel bracket for pivotally connecting the leg to the table frame independently thereof, thus eliminating unsightly rivets and at taching devices on the outside of the table.

A still further object is to provide exceedingly'simple means for tensional retainment of the bracein both open and collapsed positions.

lVith the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing is illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of the present invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for'the practical application of the principles thereof. 5 I

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of one corner of the'table with the vention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a transverse detailed section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a similar view taken on the 0 line 3-3 of Figure 1.

present in Figure 4 isa bottom plan section taken on the line 44 of Figure 1, and

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, the numeral 1 designates a table top of rectangular shape and provided with peripheral depending side strips 2 forming a frame for attachment of the legs, which nest within the frame when 6 retracted. As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, the legs 3 are pivotally connected to the strips 2' by means of a bracket 4, which is formed from a single blank of material having laterally spaced ears 5 and 6, respectively.

Formed out of the back of the bracket is a tongue 7 which is secured to one of the side strips 2 by a screw 8, or other suitable attaching device. The ear 6 extends beyond the leg 3 and is provided with an offset portion 9 also secured to one of the side strips 2 by a screw 8, thus serving to slightly space the bracket 4 from the adjacent sidestrip.

As best shown in Figure 4, the leg 3 is pivotally connected between the ears 5 and 6 by means of a rivet 10 having an elongated head 11 which projects into a recess 11 formed in the adj acentstrip 2. However,it will be noted that the head 11 does not project through the strip to detract from the neatness of appearance of the table, as is true in the case whereriv-ets are employed. Also, it will be readily appreciated that spacing of the bracket from one of the adjacent strips 2, and insertion of the head 11 into the strip, serves to relieve considerable strain from the attaching screws 8, thus providing an extremely rigid and durable connection.

In order to provide for retention of the leg 3 in extended position, a brace 12 is pivotally connected to a plate 13, which, in turn, is secured to the inner face of theside strip 2. The brace 12 is preferably channelled throughout its length to add rigidity thereto and also straddle the head 14 of the stud 15 secured to the leg. The outer end of thebrace is provided with tapered inturned flanges 16 which are normally engaged under the head 14 in the outer position of the leg,

as best shown in Figure 5, thus serving to prevent the brace from being disconnected from the stud until the leg is partially collapsed.

In order to latch the leg and brace against relative movement when the former is eX- tended, the outer end of the hr cs is provided with an annular opening 1'? adapted to receive the head 14c, while the inturned flanges 16 engage the outer face of the leg. A depressed web 18, formed in the brace between 1 its outer end and the opening 17, serves to engage the head 14 when the leg is swung to open position, thus forming a stop to prevent the stud from being withdrawn from the channelled brace, whereupon the latter will then drop over the head id as heretofore ex plained. To insure'prop-er engagement of the brace l and stud 1.5, the plate 13 is pro vided with Lised rib that engages the outer face of the brace wh a the latter is in extended position, thus e 1g tension thereon to urge the brace against the head i l. When the leg is retracted, the same torsionally retained by means of an additional. rib 20, also formed in the plate 13 and adapted to frictionally engage the upper end of the brace.

in operation the leg is easily manipulated, in. that i is merely necessary to create a slight outward. pressure on the brace 12 to release the head It from the opening 1?, whereby the leg can be swung inwardly, and inasmuch as the head ll lS embraced by the aides of the channelled brace 12, the latter will be collapsed simultaneously with the leg, and in closed position will nest between the outer "ace of the leg and the adjacent strip 2. In extending the leg it is merely necessary to swing the s me outwardly, whereupon the inward pro c crcad upon the brace by the rib 19 will cause the opening 17 to snap over the head 14 when the two are alined.

From the foregoing explanation, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be readilyscen that an exceedingly simple, inexpensive and rigid means of attachment has been provided for pivotal COl'l-r nection of the table legs. At the same time no screws or rivets are visible from the outside of the frame, and manipulation of the legs is materially facilitated, in that aside from releasing the brace from the stud carried by the leg, manipulation of latches and locking devices is entirely eliminated.

I claim 1. In a folding table including a top, a leg pivotally carried by said top, a headed stud carried by the leg, and a channelled brace pivotally carried by the top and embracing the head of said stud to latch the leg in extended position.

2. In a foldin table including a top, a leg pivotally carried by said top, a headed stud carried by the leg, and a channeled brace pivotally carried by the top and embracing the head of said stud to latch the leg in eX- tended position, said brace being provided with an opening in its outer end for reception of the head of said stud.

3. In a folding table including a top, a leg pivotally carried by the top, a headed stud carried by the leg, and a channelled brace pivotally carried by the top and straddling the head of said stud, said brace being provided with an opening in its outer end for receptionof the head of said stud and inwardly projecting flanges for engagement under said head.

l. In a folding table including a top, a leg pivotally carried by the top, a headed stud carried by the leg, a channelled brace pivotally carried by the top and straddling the head of said stud, said brace being provided with an opening in its outer end for reception of the head of said stud and inwardly pro- 'ectin flanges for en a 'ement under said 2: Q t 23 head, and means for creating lateral tension upon said brace to urge the same into engagement with said head. I

5. In a folding table including a rectangular top, depending side rails carried by the top, a bracket formed from a single blank of material and secured to the inner faces of a pair of adjacent side rails, said bracket being spaced from one of the side rails and provided with spaced ears, a pintle carried by said ears and partially projecting into the spaced side rail, a leg pivotally mount-ed on said pintle, a headed stud carried by said leg, a channelled brace pivotally connected with the adjacent side rail and embracing the head of said stud, said brace being provided with an opening in its outer end for reception of the head of said stud, and means for creating lateral pressure on said brace to urge the same into engagement with said stud.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of WViscousin. 7

WILLIAM M. BOENNING. 

